International Trade Promotion

International trade and investment have become a critical
component for California’s economic growth and engine for creating jobs. In
2015, California ranked second in the United States in goods exports, with an estimated
value of $165.4 billion to 229 foreign markets. And it isn’t just big business
that benefits; 96 percent of all California exports come from small and medium
sized businesses.

How California’s Economy Benefits From International Trade & Investment

In 2015, International trade supported more than 775,000 high paying California jobs. These trade-related jobs came from large and small companies, farmers, and factories

Exports support small, medium, and large businesses. The vast majority of California exporters are small and medium-sized companies with less than 500 workers.

Customers in 229 countries around the world buy California-grown and manufactured goods and services. Top markets like Mexico, Canada, and China buy billions of dollars of California products and services annually.

Foreign owned companies invest in California and employ more than 631,000 Californians.

Although trade is a
nationally determined policy issue, its impact on California is immense. The
International Affairs and Business Development unit works to drive business for
California and increase the Golden State's continued global economic strength
and competitiveness.

Explore the following
tabs to learn about our programs. Visit the
California Business Portal for additional export assistance
resources and information to get your business up and running globally.

About Us

The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) was created by Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. to serve as California’s single point of contact for economic development and job creation efforts.